Portstewart Strand is a two-mile sweep of golden sand on the County Londonderry coast, one of Northern Ireland's finest beaches, with views to the Inishowen headland and Mussenden Temple on its cliff. Behind it lie 6,000-year-old dunes, an Area of Special Scientific Interest where wild pansies flower and dark green fritillary butterflies abound, and a waymarked dune and estuary walk leads to the River Bann hide for curlew and redshank. Families picnic, paddle and bodyboard, a surf school hires boards, and a beach equipment loan scheme run with the Mae Murray Foundation makes it an Inclusive Beach. Reviewers single out driving straight onto the sand and a day out for all ages. Tips from visitors: beach parking is card only and free for members, every car must leave by the time shown at the entrance as there is no towing service, and dogs may run off the lead only beyond marker post ten.
